A&E: Pick 6, Nov. 18

Nov. 15, 2012

Willliam Elliott Whitmore returns for a show Wednesday at Wooly's. / Special to the Register

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Australian roots/blues singer Harper. / Special to the Register

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1. Minneapolis new age composer Lorie Line and Her Fab Five bring their annual holiday extravaganza to Stephens Auditorium in Ames at 3 p.m. today. Line performs holiday classics on the piano, backed by her five-piece group of musicians. Line recently released a new album of holiday songs, “Immanuel,” including 14 new takes on classics like “Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy” and “Mary Had a Baby,” as well as Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper.” $45. www.ticketmaster.com

2. The Lazer 103.3 Rock Girl Pageant will be headlined by Hurt and Smile Empty Soul at 7 p.m. Monday at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. Hurt is a rising star in the hard rock world, fronted by singer J. Loren Wince, who plays violin while singing. Earlier this year the group released its sixth album, “The Crux.” $15-$17. www.ticketfly.com

3. Eastern Iowa singer-songwriter William Elliott Whitmore returns to Des Moines for a 7 p.m. Wednesday show at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. Whitmore’s sound blends folk, blues and punk, and his powerful singing voice allows for songs that work just as well a cappella as on guitar or banjo. Most recently Whitmore was featured on the “Iowa City Song Project,” a collection of Iowa City-inspired songs commissioned by The Englert Theatre. $15. www.ticketfly.com

4. Think of Comedy XPeriment’s annual Thanksgiving improv show like the feast itself, with a main dish (a 30- or 40-minute long-form sketch in the first act) and a smorgasbord of sides (short skits after intermission). The 10-year-old local troupe has turned previous audience suggestions into such hits as “picnic for the damned,” “winning the lottery” and “zombie prom.” This year’s shows start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center’s Stoner Theater. $10. www.civiccenter.org

5. Those bratty Herdman kids from the other side of town — Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie and Gladys — rear their grubby little heads for a revival of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” starting Friday at the Ames Community Theater. And who knows, maybe this time — thistime — they’ll behave. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (except Nov. 25) through Dec. 9. $15. www.actorsinc.org

6. Australian roots/blues singer Harper plays The Gas Lamp, 1501 Grand Ave., at 9 p.m. Friday. Harper’s music combines blues with rock, soul, world music and funk, incorporating the Australian instrument, the didgeridoo. Harper is backed by the Michigan band Midwest Kind. Earlier this year Harper released the album “Live at the Blues Museum,” recorded last December in Canada. $10. www.midwestix.com